Broadcast receiver, mobile device, service providing method, and broadcast receiver controlling method

ABSTRACT

A broadcast receiver includes a mode determination unit to determine a current operation mode among a plurality of operation modes, a communication interface to transmit the determined current operation mode to a mobile device through interactive communication, and to receive a control command from the mobile device, and a controller to provide a service of the determined current operation mode according to the control command received from the mobile device. Accordingly, a user controls the broadcast receiver through the mobile device according to the operation mode so that user&#39;s convenience is improved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/856,378 filed Apr. 23, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/711,957 filed Dec. 12, 2019, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,667,003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/509,243 filed Jul. 11, 2019, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,523,995, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/910,355, filed Mar. 2, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,382,811,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/952,141filed Nov. 25, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,912,981, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/654,628 filed Dec.28, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,193, which claims thepriority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0076291, filedon Aug. 18, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate to a broadcast receiver, a mobile device, a serviceproviding method and a broadcast receiver controlling method, and moreparticularly, to a broadcast receiver which provides an operation modeand a mobile device which receives the operation mode from the broadcastreceiver and controls the broadcast receiver based on the operationmode, and a service providing method and a broadcast receivercontrolling method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, as the development of data transmitting technology isaccelerated, interactive data transmission using a video medium becomespossible. Also, as a recent broadcast receiver further includes aninternet function, a user can enjoy more diverse services.

Accordingly, the user often encounters situations where he/she shouldinput a text through the broadcast receiver. However, a general remotecontroller is not easy to use for inputting text. More specifically, inorder to input a text using the remote controller, the user should pressa button on the remote controller corresponding to a text and checkwhether a desirable text is input or not through a video medium at a fardistanced place (remote location). Therefore, there is a problem thatthe user should input and check the text from different visual lines.

Also, the broadcast receiver recently provides diverse services inaddition to a broadcast receiving service, but in point of fact that arelated-art remote controller has uniform input keys, there is a needfor an optimal input method of each service to improve user'sconvenience.

SUMMARY

Aspects of exemplary embodiments provide a broadcast receiver whichprovides an operation mode and a mobile device which receives theoperation mode from the broadcast receiver and controls the broadcastreceiver based on the operation mode, and a service providing method anda broadcast receiver controlling method thereof.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided abroadcast receiver which supports a plurality of operation modes,including: a mode determination unit to determine a current operationmode among the plurality of operation modes, a communication interfaceto transmit the determined current operation mode to a mobile devicethrough interactive communication, and to receive a control command fromthe mobile device, and a controller to provide a service of thedetermined current operation mode according to the control commandreceived from the mobile device.

The operation modes may be at least one of a television (TV) view mode,a movie mode, a game mode, an internet mode, and a text input mode.

If the control command from the mobile device is to move to apredetermined area on a UI window providing the service, the modedetermination unit may determine that the operation mode has beenchanged.

The controller may assign an identification code to the mobile device,and the communication interface may encrypt the determined currentoperation mode and the control command from the mobile device with theidentification code and may transmit and receive the operation mode andthe control command.

The broadcast receiver may further include: a display unit to displayservice screens of the operation mode, and a storage unit to store aplurality of UI windows corresponding to the operation modes, and thecontroller may control the communication interface to transmit a UIwindow corresponding to the current operation mode determined by themode determination unit to the mobile device.

The controller may control the communication interface to transmitdifferent UI windows to a plurality of mobile devices.

The broadcast receiver may further include a display unit to displayservice screens of the operation mode, and, if the current operationmode is the text input mode, the controller may control the display unitto receive and display characters input through the mobile device on areal time basis or collectively.

According to another aspect of exemplary embodiments, there is provideda mobile device which controls a broadcast receiver supporting aplurality of operation modes, the mobile device including: acommunication interface to receive information regarding a currentoperation mode among the plurality of operation modes throughinteractive communication, a user interface to display a UI windowcorresponding to the received information regarding the currentoperation mode and to receive a control command regarding the broadcastreceiver, and a controller to control the communication interface totransmit the input control command to the broadcast receiver.

The operation modes may be at least one of a TV view mode, a movie mode,a game mode, an internet mode, and a text input mode.

The communication interface may receive an identification code from thebroadcast receiver, and may encrypt the information regarding thecurrent operation mode and the control command with the identificationcode and may receive and transmit the information regarding the currentoperation mode and the control command.

The communication interface may receive a UI window corresponding to thecurrent operation mode, and the controller may display the received UIwindow on the user interface.

The communication interface may receive information regarding a serviceof the current operation mode of the broadcast receiver, and may displaythe information regarding the service along with the UI windowcorresponding to the current operation mode.

If the current operation mode is the text input mode, the controller maycontrol the communication interface to transmit characters input throughthe user interface on a real time basis or collectively.

According to still another aspect of exemplary embodiments, there isprovided a service providing method of a broadcast receiver whichsupports a plurality of operation modes, the method including:determining a current operation mode among the operation modes,transmitting the determined current operation mode to a mobile devicethrough interactive communication, receiving a control command from themobile device, and providing a service of the determined currentoperation mode according to the control command received from the mobiledevice.

The operation modes may be at least one of a TV view mode, a movie mode,a game mode, an internet mode, and a text input mode.

The determining the current operation mode may include determining thatthe current operation mode has been changed if the control command fromthe mobile device is to move to a predetermined area on a UI windowproviding the service.

The transmitting may include transmitting an identification codeassigned to the mobile device, and encrypting the determined currentoperation mode and the received control command with the identificationcode.

The transmitting may include transmitting a pre-stored UI windowcorresponding to the determined current operation mode to the mobiledevice.

The transmitting may include transmitting pre-stored different UIwindows to a plurality of mobile devices.

According to still another aspect of exemplary embodiments, there isprovided a method for controlling a broadcast receiver which supports aplurality of operation modes, by a mobile device, the method including:receiving information regarding a current operation mode among theplurality of operation modes through interactive communication;displaying a UI window corresponding to the received informationregarding the current operation mode; receiving a control commandregarding the broadcast receiver; and transmitting the control commandto the broadcast receiver.

The operation modes may be at least one of a TV view mode, a movie mode,a game mode, an internet mode, and a text input mode.

The receiving the information regarding the current operation mode mayinclude receiving an identification code from the broadcast receiver,and encrypting the information regarding the current operation mode andthe control command with the identification code.

The receiving the information regarding the current operation mode mayinclude receiving a UI window corresponding to the current operationmode, and the displaying may include displaying the received UI windowon a user interface.

The receiving the information regarding the current operation mode mayinclude receiving information regarding a service of the currentoperation mode of the broadcast receiver, and the displaying may includedisplaying the information regarding the service along with the UIwindow corresponding to the current operation mode.

According to still another aspect of exemplary embodiments, there isprovided at least one computer readable medium storing instructions thatcontrol at least one processor to implement the methods of exemplaryembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a home network system accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of connection of the homenetwork system 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3G are views to explain operation of a broadcast receiverand a mobile device;

FIGS. 4A-4G and 5A-5D are views illustrating a method for inputtingcharacters according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method accordingto an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a broadcast receiver controllingmethod according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Exemplaryembodiments are described below by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a home network system accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a home network system 1000 includes a broadcastreceiver 100 and a mobile device 200. The broadcast receiver 100supports a plurality of operation modes and provides a user with a videoor video/audio information. The broadcast receiver 100 may be realizedas a digital TV, a set-top box (STB), a personal computer (PC), a laptopcomputer, and a portable multimedia player (PMP). The operation moderecited herein is an example of a service supported by the broadcastreceiver 100, such as a TV view mode, a movie mode, a game mode, aninternet mode, and a text input mode. More specifically, the broadcastreceiver 100 includes a display unit 110, a storage unit 120, a modedetermination unit 130, a communication interface 140, and a controller150.

The display unit 110 displays information provided by the broadcastreceiver 100. The display unit 110 may be realized as a device such as atouch pad which realizes input/output simultaneously, and may be a videodisplay apparatus such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay panel (PDP), and a cathode ray tube (CRT). Accordingly, a useris provided with a service screen from the broadcast receiver 100. Ifthe broadcast receiver 100 is a digital TV, the display unit 110 may bean inner part of the broadcast receiver 100, and, if the broadcastreceiver 110 is a set-top box, the display unit 110 may be an externalpart of the broadcast receiver 100, for example, a monitor or a TVconnected to the set-top box.

The storage unit 120 may store contents corresponding to diverseservices supported by the broadcast receiver 100 and also may store aplurality of user interface (UI) windows corresponding to the operationmodes which will be described later. The storage unit 120 may berealized as an inner storage medium or an external storage medium of thebroadcast receiver 100, such as a removable disk including a universalserial bus (USB) memory, a storage medium connected to a separate host,and a web server over a network.

The mode determination unit 130 determines a current operation modeamong the plurality of operation modes. As the broadcast receiver 100supports the plurality of operation modes including the TV view mode,the movie mode, the game mode, the internet mode, and the text inputmode, the mode determination unit 130 determines a current operationmode among the plurality of operation modes, by grasping a currentservice provided by the broadcast receiver 100. The operation of themode determination unit 130 is performed on a real time basis or isperformed according to user's control operation.

Also, if a control command from the mobile device 200 is to move to apredetermined area on a UI window providing a service, the modedetermination unit 130 determines that the operation mode has changed.For example, in the broadcast receiver 100 operating in the internetmode, if a user moves a pointed area (indicated by a mouse or a pointer)to an area requiring input of characters (a log-in area or a search terminput area) to perform searching or log-in, the mode determination unit30 determines that the current operation mode has been changed to thetext input mode. Also, if operation in the text input mode is completedor if the user moves the pointed area out of the area requiring input ofcharacters, the mode determination unit 130 determines that the currentoperation mode has been changed from the text input mode to the internetmode.

The communication interface 140 transmits the determined currentoperation mode to the mobile device 200, and receives a control commandfrom the mobile device 200 through interactive communication. Morespecifically, the communication interface 140 is connected to the mobiledevice 200 through interactive communication, and transmits the currentoperation mode determined by the mode determination unit 130. Also, thecommunication interface 140 receives a user control command from themobile device 200. At this time, the communication interface 140 maytransmit an acknowledgement signal (ACK) to the mobile device 200 inresponse to the user control command. The interactive communicationrecited herein includes all existing communication technologies and allfuture interactive communication technologies, such as a Bluetooth (BT),radio frequency (RF), wireless fidelity (WI-FI), high definitionmultimedia interface-consumer electronics control (HDMI-CEC), andwireless HDMI-CES. The communication interface 140 may communicate withthe mobile device 200 according to the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)standard.

The controller 150 provides a service of the determined currentoperation mode according to the control command received from the mobiledevice 200. More specifically, the controller 150 converts serviceoperation or a service state in response to the user control commandreceived from the communication interface 140. For example, if thebroadcast receiver 100 receives a control command “TV channel up” fromthe mobile device 200 in the TV view mode, the controller 150 changesthe channel of a TV service and provides the TV service. Also, if thebroadcast receiver 100 receives a control command “Volume Down” in themovie mode, the controller 150 turns down the volume of a providingmovie service and provides the movie service.

Also, the controller 150 may receive and display characters input fromthe mobile device 200 on a real time basis or collectively. Morespecifically, if the broadcast receiver 100 is in the text input mode,the broadcast receiver 100 may receive the characters input by the userfrom the mobile device 200 on a real time basis or collectively. Thecontroller 150 may control the display unit 110 to display the receivedcharacters. The transmitted characters may be a direct character code ora number code which corresponds to a character pressed by the user onthe mobile device 200 in order to input a character (for example, number22 corresponding to Alphabet ‘b’ on a mobile phone).

Also, the controller 150 may assign an identification code to the mobiledevice 200. A plurality of mobile devices 200 may access the broadcastreceiver 100 and the broadcast receiver 100 assigns identification codesto the plurality of mobile devices 200 to discriminate them. In thiscase, the controller 150 may control the communication interface 140 toencrypt information transmitted between the broadcast receiver 100 andthe mobile device 200 using an assigned identification code for securityreasons, and to transmit the encrypted information. In practice, a userpassword may be added to the identification code of the mobile device200 and encrypted.

Also, the controller 150 may transmit a UI window corresponding to thecurrent operation mode determined by the mode determination unit 130 tothe mobile device 200. More specifically, the controller 150 controlsthe communication interface 140 to extract a UI window corresponding tothe current operation mode determined by the mode determination unit 130from the storage unit 120, and to transmit the UI window to the mobiledevice 200. For example, if the mobile device 200 has no UI windowcorresponding to the current operation mode or if the broadcast receiver100 is currently providing a game service requiring a different UIwindow for each user (for example, a poker game), the controller 150 maytransmit a UI window corresponding to each operation mode to the mobiledevice 200. In this case, the controller 150 may control thecommunication interface 140 to transmit different UI windows to theplurality of mobile devices 200. The transmitted UI window may be a UIwindow which is pre-stored in the storage unit 120 or a new UI windowwhich is created by combining images pre-stored in the storage unit 120.

Also, the controller 150 may transmit information regarding a service ofa current operation mode to the mobile device 200. More specifically,the controller 150 may transmit information which is helpful to the userin the process of controlling operation of the broadcast receiver 100,for example, current channel information, a current volume level, arunning time, a remaining time, a current time, and electronic programguide (EPG), to the mobile device 200. The information regarding theservice may be transmitted at the same time when the current operationmode is transmitted to the mobile device 200 or when the ACK signalcorresponding to the user control command is transmitted, or atpredetermined period.

The mobile device 200 refers to a device which transmits and receivesinformation to and from the broadcast receiver 100 through interactivecommunication, and may be realized as a mobile phone, an MP3, a PMP, anavigation system, and a digital album. More specifically, the mobiledevice 200 includes a communication interface 210, a user interface 220,a storage unit 230, and a controller 240.

The communication interface 210 receives information regarding a currentoperation mode among a plurality of operation modes through interactivecommunication. More specifically, the communication interface 210 isconnected to the broadcast receiver 100 through interactivecommunication and receives a current operation mode of the broadcastreceiver 100 according to a communication standard such as the UPnPcommunication standard. Also, the communication interface 210 maytransmit a user control command, which will be described later, to thebroadcast receiver 100. Also, the communication interface 220 mayreceive an identification code currently assigned to the mobile device200, a UI window corresponding to the current operation mode of thebroadcast receiver 100, and information regarding the service of thecurrent operation mode.

The user interface 220 displays a UI window corresponding to thereceived current operation mode, and receives a control commandregarding the broadcast receiver 100. More specifically, the userinterface 220 may have a plurality of function keys to allow a user toset or select diverse functions supported by the broadcast receiver 100,and may display a plurality of UI windows to control the broadcastreceiver 100. The user interface 220 may be realized as a device such asa touch pad which realizes input/output simultaneously, or may berealized as a device integrating a key pad and a display apparatus.Accordingly, the user can be provided with a UI window which is based on(corresponds to) the current operation mode of the broadcast receiver100 from the user interface 220, and easily controls the broadcastreceiver 100 using the UI window. The operation mode recited herein isan example of a service supported by the broadcast receiver 100, such asa TV view mode, a movie mode, a game mode, an internet mode, and a textinput mode.

The storage unit 230 may store operation mode information of thebroadcast receiver received through the communication interface 210 anda UI window corresponding to the operation mode. The storage unit 230may be realized as an inner storage medium or an external storage mediumof the mobile device 200, such as a removable disk including a USBmemory and a web server over a network.

The controller 240 may transmit an input control command to thebroadcast receiver 100. More specifically, the controller 240 maycontrol the communication interface 210 to transmit a user controlcommand, which is input through the user interface 220, to the broadcastreceiver 100 such that the broadcast receiver 100 provides a servicecorresponding to the user control command. At this time, the controller240 may control the communication interface 210 to encrypt informationregarding the current operation mode and the control command with theidentification code and to transmit and receive the encryptedinformation and control command. A user password may be added to theidentification code of the mobile device 100.

Also, the controller 240 may transmit characters input through the userinterface 220 on a real time or collectively. More specifically, if theoperation mode of the broadcast receiver 100 is the text input mode, thecontroller 240 may control the communication interface 210 to transmitthe characters input by the user through the user interface 220 on areal time basis or collectively. A method for transmitting characterswill be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Also, if a UI window corresponding to the current operation mode of thebroadcast receiver 100 is received through the communication interface210, the controller 240 may control the user interface 220 to displaythe received UI window. For example, if the broadcast receiver 100 iscurrently providing a game service requiring a different UI window foreach user (for example, a poker game), the controller 240 may controlthe user interface 200 to display the received UI window. Even if a UIwindow corresponding to the current operation mode is previously stored,the received UI window may be displayed preferentially.

Also, if information regarding the service of the current operation modeis received from the broadcast receiver 100, the controller 240 maycontrol the user interface 220 to display the information regarding theservice along with the UI window corresponding to the current operationmode. More specifically, as the broadcast receiver 100 transmitsinformation which is helpful to the user, for example, current channelinformation, a current volume level, a running time, a remaining time, acurrent time, and EPG, as described above, the controller 240 maycontrol the user interface 220 to display the information along with theUI window corresponding to the current operation mode. The informationregarding the service may be displayed continuously, at a predeterminedperiod, or according to a user's manipulation.

Accordingly, the user is provided with the UI window which iscorresponds to the operation mode of the broadcast receiver 100 from themobile device, and, accordingly can control the broadcast receiver 100easily with improved convenience.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of connection of the homenetwork system 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the home network system 1000 includes a broadcastreceiver 100, a remote controller 30, and mobile devices 201, 202. Thebroadcast receiver 100 is connected to the remote controller 30 in aone-way communication manner and the mobile devices 201, 202 areconnected to the broadcast receiver 100 in an interactive communicationmanner. Accordingly, the broadcast receiver 100 receives a user controlcommand through the remote controller 30, which is a one-waycommunication device, and also receives a control command from themobile device 201, 202, which is an interactive communication device.

As a plurality of mobile devices 201, 202 is connected to the broadcastreceiver 100, the broadcast receiver 100 may provide each of the mobiledevices 201, 202 with a separate UI window to provide a service such asa poker game.

FIGS. 3A to 3G are views to explain operation of the broadcast receiver100 and the mobile device 200.

Referring to FIG. 3A, if the mobile device 200 tries to connect to thebroadcast receiver 100, the broadcast receiver 100 assigns anidentification code to the mobile device 200 and transmits aconfirmation that the connection is established. The broadcast receiver100 is currently providing a current TV service denoted by window 310and the mobile device 200 displays a UI window denoted by 320.

Referring to FIG. 3B, as the broadcast receiver 100 is currentlyproviding a current TV service in window 311 to the mobile device 200,which has been allowed to be connected to the broadcast receiver 100,the broadcast receiver 100 notifies the mobile device 200 of the TV viewmode and the mobile device 200 displays a UI window 321 corresponding tothe TV view mode. The UI window 321 is an example of a UI window whichis used for the TV view mode (which corresponds to the TV view mode). Onthe other hand, if the broadcast receiver 100 is not providing a currentservice, for example, if the broadcast receiver 100 is in a turn-offstate or if the mobile device 200 cannot receive operation modeinformation from the broadcast receiver 100, the mobile device 200 maydisplay a UI window 321 corresponding to a default operation mode (forexample, a TV reception mode).

Referring to FIG. 3C, if a user inputs a channel-up command through adisplayed UI window 322, the mobile device 200 transmits the channel-upcommand to the broadcast receiver 100 and the broadcast receiver 100provides the user with a service denoted by window 312 corresponding toan upper channel in response to the user command.

Referring to FIGS. 3D and 3E, if the user inputs a command to move apointed area (indicated by a mouse or a pointer) of a UI window 313 toan area requiring input of characters (a search area), the broadcastreceiver 10 notifies the mobile device 200 that the operation mode ofthe broadcast receiver 100 has been changed to the text input mode asshown in FIG. 3E, and the mobile device 200 displays a UI window 324corresponding to the text input mode. The UI window 324 is an example ofa UI window which is used for the input of characters, and the UI windowdenoted by 314 shows the characters and TV service. The UI window 323shows examples of user input commands.

Also, FIGS. 3F and 3G illustrate examples of UI windows which can bedisplayed on the mobile device 200 if the operation mode of thebroadcast receiver 100 is the movie mode and the game mode. A UI window325 is an example of a UI window which is used for the movie mode (whichcorresponds to the movie mode), and a UI window 326 is an example of aUI which is used for the game mode (which corresponds to the game mode).The UI window 326 may be used according to the type of game provided bythe broadcast receiver 100. The UI window 315 is an example of a UIwindow which may correspond to movie mode, and the UI window denoted by316 is an example of a UI window which may correspond to game mode.

FIGS. 4A and 5D are views illustrating a method for inputting charactersof the broadcast receiver 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4G, if the characters input through the mobiledevice 200 are collectively transmitted to the broadcast receiver 100,examples of UI windows displayed on the broadcast receiver 100 and themobile device 200 are illustrated. More specifically, when the userinputs characters, UI windows 420-425 of the mobile device 200 changebut UI windows 410-415 do not change. However, if the user presses asend button 430 after completing input of the characters, the Koreancharacters “

” are transmitted to the broadcast receiver 100 and the broadcastreceiver 100 collectively receives and display the characters.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, if the characters input by the mobiledevice 200 are transmitted to the broadcast receiver 100 on a real timebasis, examples of UI windows displayed on the broadcast receiver 100and the mobile device 200 are illustrated. More specifically, when theuser inputs the characters, UI windows 520-523 of the mobile device 200change and UI windows 510-513 of the broadcast receiver 100 also change.

In FIGS. 5A to 5D, the character displayed on the UI windows 520-523 istransmitted to the broadcast receiver 100. However, the characters maybe transmitted in order of being pressed by the user. For example, thecharacter ‘

’ is transmitted in FIG. 5B and the character ‘

’ is transmitted in FIG. 5C.

Although the characters input by the user are transmitted to thebroadcast receiver 100 in FIGS. 4A and 5D, numbers input by the userthrough the mobile device 200 may be transmitted to the broadcastreceiver 100 and the broadcast receiver 100 converts the numbers intocharacters.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

An identification code is assigned to the mobile device 200 whichperforms interactive communication with the broadcast receiver 100(S610). More specifically, a plurality of mobile devices 200 may accessthe broadcast receiver 100 and the broadcast receiver 100 may assign anidentification code to each of the mobile devices 200 to discriminatethem. The identification code may be assigned in order of connectedmobile devices or using a predetermined algorithm. If only a singlemobile device is connected to the broadcast receiver 100, assigning anidentification code may be omitted.

A current operation mode is determined (S620). More specifically, as thebroadcast receiver 100 supports a plurality of operation modes includinga TV view mode, a movie mode, a game mode, an internet mode, and a textinput mode, a current operation mode is determined among the pluralityof operation modes by grasping a currently providing service. Thecurrent operation mode is determined on a real time basis or accordingto a control operation by the user. If a control command from the mobiledevice 200 is to move to a predetermined area on the UI window providinga service, it is determined that the operation mode has been changed andan operation mode corresponding to the predetermined area is determined.

Next, the current operation mode determined through interactivecommunication is transmitted to the mobile device 200 (S630). At thistime, the identification code assigned to the mobile device 200, apre-stored UI window corresponding to the determined current operationmode, and information regarding the current operation mode may betransmitted. If a plurality of mobile devices 200 is connected to thebroadcast receiver 100, different UI windows may be transmitted to themobile device 200. Also, the determined current operation mode may beencrypted using the identification code assigned to the mobile device200 when being transmitted.

Next, a control command is received from the mobile device 200 (S640)and a service of a selected operation mode is provided according to thecontrol command received from the mobile device (S650).

According to the service providing method according to an exemplaryembodiment, since the broadcast receiver 100 is controlled by the mobiledevice 200 located at a far-distanced place (remote location) to providea service, user's convenience can be improved. The service providingmethod of FIG. 6 can be executed by the broadcast receiver 100 havingthe configuration of FIG. 1 and also can be executed by any other typebroadcast receiver.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a broadcastreceiver according to an exemplary embodiment.

Information regarding a current operation mode is received throughinteractive communication (S710). At this time, an identification codefor the current mobile device 200, a UI window corresponding to thecurrent operation mode of the broadcast receiver 100, and informationregarding a service of the current operation mode may be received. Theoperation mode information may be encrypted using the identificationcode assigned to the mobile device 200. In this case, the mobile device200 may decrypt the identification code assigned thereto.

A UI window corresponding to the received operation mode is displayed(S720) and a control command regarding the broadcast receiver 100 isinput (S730). More specifically, the user is provided with a UI windowwhich corresponds to the operation mode of the broadcast receiver 100and inputs a control command regarding the broadcast receiver 100through the UI window. If the UI window corresponding to the operationmode of the broadcast receiver 100 is received at the time of receivingthe operation mode, the received UI window may be displayed instead of apre-stored UI window. Also, if information regarding a service of thecurrent operation mode is received at the time of receiving theoperation mode, the information about the service may be displayed alongthe UI window corresponding to the current operation mode. Morespecifically, the broadcast receiver 100 may transmit informationhelpful to the user, such as current channel information, a currentvolume level, a running time, a remaining time, a current time, and EPG,and the information may be displayed along with the UI windowcorresponding to the current operation mode.

The input control command is transmitted to the broadcast receiver 100(S740). More specifically, the input user control command is transmittedto the broadcast receiver 100 such that the broadcast receiver 100provides a service corresponding to the input user control command. Atthis time, the control command may be encrypted with an identificationcode.

Finally, it is determined whether an ACK is received from the broadcastreceiver 100 or not in response to the control command (S750). If theACK is not received for a predetermined time, the control command may bere-transmitted. However, the operation of receiving the ACK may beomitted.

As described above, since the user can control the broadcast receiver100 through the mobile device 200 according to the operation mode, theuser's convenience is improved. The method for controlling the broadcastreceiver 100 can be executed by the mobile device 200 having theconfiguration of FIG. 1 or can be executed by any other type mobiledevice.

The above-described exemplary embodiments may be recorded incomputer-readable media/medium including program instructions toimplement various operations embodied by a computer. The media/mediummay also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions,data files, data structures, and the like. Examples of computer-readablemedia/medium include universal serial bus (USB) memory; magnetic mediasuch as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media suchas CD ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks;and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and performprogram instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. The computer-readablemedia/medium may also be a distributed network, so that the programinstructions are stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Theprogram instructions may be executed by one or more processors. Thecomputer-readable media/medium may also be embodied in at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA). Examples of program instructions include both machinecode, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher levelcode that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. Thedescribed hardware devices may be configured to act as one or moresoftware modules in order to perform the operations of theabove-described embodiments, or vice versa.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may bemade to these exemplary embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedin the claims and their equivalents.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A mobile communication device comprising: adisplay; a communication interface; a memory storing instructions; andone or more processors that execute the instructions stored in thememory to: display a first user interface on the display of the mobilecommunication device, control the communication interface to transmit,to an electronic device, a first data corresponding to a first userinput obtained through the first user interface displayed on the displayof the mobile communication device and configured to control movement ofa pointer on a display of the electronic device, receive, from theelectronic device by the communication interface, a second data based onthe pointer being placed in a character input area for input ofalphanumeric characters to be displayed on the display of the electronicdevice, display a second user interface on the display of the mobilecommunication device based on the second data being received, andcontrol the communication interface to transmit, to the electronicdevice, a third data corresponding to a second user input obtainedthrough the second user interface displayed on the display of the mobilecommunication device, the second user interface being to input thealphanumeric characters on the display of the electronic device.
 13. Themobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the first user input isobtained based on a touch input received through the first userinterface.
 14. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein thealphanumeric characters are provided on the character input areaprovided by the electronic device based on the third data.
 15. Themobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the second userinterface comprises a text keypad to receive the second user input. 16.The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the one or moreprocessors execute the instructions stored in the memory to, when thepointer is no longer placed in the character input area: transmit, tothe electronic device, a fourth data indicating that the pointer is nolonger placed in the character input area, and receive, from theelectronic device, a fifth data to cause the first user interface to bere-provided on the mobile communication device, the fifth data beingreceived from the electronic device based on the fourth data.
 17. Themobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the character inputarea provided by the electronic device corresponds to one of a log-inarea, a search term input area, an address bar, and a character inputarea.
 18. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein theelectronic device is connectable to a display device and the electronicdevice provides the display device with the screen.
 19. The mobilecommunication device of claim 12, wherein the transmitting the firstdata, the receiving the second data, and the transmitting the third dataare performed via a bidirectional wireless communication link.
 20. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executableby at least one processor of a mobile communication device to perform:displaying a first user interface on the mobile communication device;transmitting, to an electronic device, a first data corresponding to afirst user input obtained through the first user interface, to controlmovement of a pointer on a display of the electronic device; receiving,from the electronic device, a second data based on the pointer beingplaced in a character input area for input of alphanumeric characters tobe displayed on the display of the electronic device; displaying asecond user interface on the mobile communication device based on thesecond data being received; and transmitting, to the electronic device,a third data corresponding to a second user input obtained through thesecond user interface, to input the alphanumeric characters on thedisplay of the electronic device.
 21. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the first user input isobtained based on a touch input received through the first userinterface.
 22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20,wherein the alphanumeric characters are provided on the character inputarea provided by the electronic device based on the third data.
 23. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the seconduser interface comprises a text keypad to receive the second user input.24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein theinstructions are executable by the at least one processor of a mobilecommunication device to further perform: when the pointer is no longerplaced in the character input area: transmitting, to the electronicdevice, a fourth data indicating that the pointer is no longer placed inthe character input area, and receiving, from the electronic device, afifth data to cause the first user interface to be re-provided on themobile communication device, the fifth data being received from theelectronic device based on the fourth data.
 25. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the character input areaprovided by the electronic device corresponds to one of a log-in area, asearch term input area, an address bar, and a character input area. 26.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein theelectronic device is connectable to a display device and the electronicdevice provides the display device with the screen.
 27. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein thetransmitting the first data, the receiving the second data, and thetransmitting the third data are performed via a bidirectional wirelesscommunication link.
 28. A method comprising: by a mobile communicationdevice, displaying a first user interface on a display of the mobilecommunication device, transmitting, to an electronic device, a firstdata corresponding to a first user input obtained through the first userinterface displayed on the display of the mobile communication deviceand configured to control movement of a pointer on a display of theelectronic device, receiving, from the electronic device, a second databased on the pointer being placed in a character input area for input ofalphanumeric characters to be displayed on the display of the electronicdevice, displaying a second user interface on the display of the mobilecommunication device based on the second data being received, andtransmitting, to the electronic device, a third data corresponding to asecond user input obtained through the second user interface displayedon the display of the mobile communication device, the second userinterface being to input the alphanumeric characters on the display ofthe electronic device.
 29. A system of controlling a mobilecommunication device with an electronic device, the system comprising:the mobile communication device, comprising: a first communicationinterface; a memory storing instructions; and one or more processorsthat execute the instructions stored in the memory to: display a firstuser interface on the mobile communication device, control the firstcommunication interface to transmit, to an electronic device, a firstdata corresponding to a first user input obtained through the first userinterface, to control movement of a pointer on a display of theelectronic device, receive, from the electronic device by the firstcommunication interface, a second data based on the pointer being placedin a character input area for input of alphanumeric characters to bedisplayed on the display of the electronic device, display a second userinterface on the mobile communication device based on the second databeing received, and control the first communication interface totransmit, to the electronic device, a third data corresponding to asecond user input obtained through the second user interface displayedon the display of the mobile communication device, the second userinterface being to input the alphanumeric characters on the display ofthe electronic device, and the electronic device, comprising: a secondcommunication interface; a memory storing instructions; and one or moreprocessors that executes the instructions stored in the memory to:receive, from the mobile communication device by the secondcommunication interface, the first data corresponding to the first userinput obtained through the first user interface provided on the mobilecommunication device, based on the received first data corresponding tothe first user input, control the movement of the pointer on the displayof the electronic device, based on the pointer being placed in thecharacter input area, control the second communication interface totransmit, to the mobile communication device, the second data to causethe second user interface to be provided on the mobile communicationdevice, receive, from the mobile communication device by the secondcommunication interface, the third data corresponding to the second userinput obtained through the second user interface provided on the mobilecommunication device, and based on the received the third datacorresponding to the second user input, provide the alphanumericcharacters on the display of the electronic device.